Reginald Graham
Sir Reginald Graham, 3rd Baronet | |
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Born | Usher of the Green Rod | 17 September 1892
Early life
Graham was born at
First World War
Soon after the
Lt. Graham accompanied his guns across open ground, under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire, and when his men became casualties, he assisted in carrying the ammunition.
Although twice wounded he continued during the advance to control his guns and was able, with one gun, to open an accurate fire on the enemy, who were massing for a counter-attack. This gun was put out of action by the enemy's rifle fire, and he was again wounded. The advancing enemy forced him to retire, but before doing so he further disabled his gun, rendering it useless.
He then brought a Lewis gun into action with excellent effect till all the ammunition was expended. He was again severely wounded, and forced through loss of blood to retire.
His valour and skilful handling of his guns held up a strong counter-attack which threatened to roll up the left flank of the Brigade, and thus averted what might have been a very critical situation.[1]
After recovering from his severe wounds Captain Graham, as he had become, was ordered back to Mesopotamia where he continued to serve until January 1918, when his company was transferred to Palestine where he was given command of the unit with the rank of major.
After the war, Graham returned to Scotland to a hero's welcome at his home village of
Business ventures and later life
Graham later worked in India in branches of the family firm, William Graham and Company, founded by his great-great-grandfather in Glasgow.[3]
In 1920 Graham married Rachel Sprot, daughter of
Graham succeeded to the
From 1959 to 1979 Graham was
Lady Graham died in 1984.[13]
Memorials
Graham's medals are held by the
Reginald Graham's Commemorative Memorial Stone was unveiled at the Cardross War Memorial on 22 April 2017, the 100th anniversary of his gallant action. There is a second Commemorative Memorial Stone to him in the National Memorial Arboretum along with Memorial Stones for all the other VCs who were born abroad.[14]
Honours
Ribbon | Description | Notes |
Victoria Cross (VC) |
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Order of the British Empire (OBE) |
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Baronetcy (Bt) |
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British War Medal |
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WWI Victory Medal |
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Defence Medal | ||
War Medal | ||
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal |
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King George VI Coronation Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal |
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King Haakon VII Freedom Cross |
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References
- ^ a b c "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. p. 9532.
- ^ Villagers chaired VC hero – Helensburgh Heritage
- ^ Memoirs and portraits of 100 Glasgow men: 41. William Graham. This is William Graham, junior, son of the firm's founder. His brother, John Graham of Skelmorlie, mentioned in the article, was father of the 1st Baronet.
- ^ Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage 2011 – Steel of Philiphaugh Baronet
- ^ "No. 37407". The London Gazette. 1 January 1946. p. 20.
- ^ "No. 38571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 March 1949. p. 1530.
- ^ "No. 17692". The Edinburgh Gazette. 24 February 1959. p. 115.
- ^ Order of the Thistle – Whitaker's Almanack 1972
- ^ Memorial To King George VI Unveiled – The Glasgow Herald, 5 July 1962
- ^ Deaths: Graham – On 6 December 1980, Sir Reginald Graham of Larbert, Baronet, V.C., O.B.E. ..., The Times, London, 9 December 1980, page 24
- ^ War hero dies – The Glasgow Herald, 10 December 1980
- ^ "SCOTLAND EDINBURGH". www.victoriacross.org.uk.
- ^ Deaths: Graham – On 4 April 1984, Rachel (née Sprot) widow of Sir Reginald Graham Bart V.C., O.B.E. ..., The Times, London, 6 April 1984, page 28
- ^ "Winner of First World War Victoria Cross paving stone design competition unveiled". GOV.UK.
- ^ "No. 37407". The London Gazette. 1 January 1946. p. 20.
- ^ "No. 38571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 March 1949. p. 1530.
- ^ "Photo of Sir Reginald Graham's Medals". VC Online. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Edinburgh)
- Private Papers of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Reginald Graham Bt VC OBE Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Imperial War Museum
- Graham, Sir (John) Reginald Noble, Burke's peerage, baronetage & knightage, clan chiefs, Scottish feudal barons 107th edition, volume 2, ed. Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage & Gentry (UK) Limited, 2003
- GRAHAM, Sir (John) Reginald (Noble), Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007, retrieved 21 Aug 2012]
- Lt.-Col. Sir John Reginald Noble Graham, 3rd Bt., V.C. – thepeerage.com